Duke Energy confirms lay offs at various plants

Duke Energy has confirmed that employees at various Duke Energy nuclear plants have been laid off.

According to company spokesperson Neil Nissan, employees were given severance packages Thursday, "some voluntary and some involuntary."

"We are always looking to improve with the lowest cost for our customers, however this was not a cause and effect situation," Nissan said in a statement to FOX 46. "We want to maintain good quality for our customers."

Employees at various plants were impacted, including some at the plants in McGuire and Catawba.

Duke Energy declined to provide the exact number of employees affected.

This story has been corrected to reflect that the exact number of lay offs was not released.